![Harness racing at Shenandoah Downs](/sites/default/files/styles/headline_image_1024_x_577/public/2022-12/ShenandoahDowns-RacingStock-QuentonEgan-1024.jpg?itok=AV6VT_Qd)
As Shenandoah Downs prepares for its Sept. 14 harness season opener in Woodstock, Virginia, fans will have a chance to win their share of a $5,250 USD purse in the popular Virginia Harness Horse Association's (VHHA) "Own a Horse for a Day" contest on opening weekend.
Eight contestants will be selected in advance of the meet and compete for a top prize of $2,625 USD -- 50 per cent of the total purse. Second through fifth-place finishers will receive normal distributed portions of the purse as prize money -- $1,312.50 USD (25 per cent), $630 USD (12 per cent), $420 (eight per cent) and $262.50 (five per cent) -- while contestants whose horse finishes sixth through eighth will receive $100 USD.
Fans can register several different ways. One name will be randomly selected at each of the four race days during the upcoming Shenandoah County Fair, which runs from Wednesday, Aug. 28 through Saturday, Aug. 31. Fans can fill out an entry each day and one name will be selected after the sixth race. A fifth name will be selected during the County Fair as well via a contesting at the Shenandoah Downs promotional booth in the main exhibit building.
Fans can also register through a contest at Harrisonburg, Virginia radio stations WSIG and WSVA beginning next week. Details are at 969wsig.com and wsvaonline.com, respectively. The final contestant will be chosen from a contest via the Shenandoah Downs Facebook page.
Two additional "Own a Horse for a Day" promotions will take place during the fall meet in Woodstock. Fans can register during the race weekends of Sept. 21, 22 and Oct. 12, 13. In all, a total of $15,750 USD will be distributed in prize money over the three contests.
(Shenandoah Downs)